Disappearing stairway



July 19, 1932. F, BESSLER 1,867,904-

DISAPPEARING S TAIRWAY Filed Jan. 3, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Z/VVENTOR- Rmwr Essa 5e ATTORNEYS.

July 19, 1932. F. E. BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY Filed Jan. 3, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet '2 do 5 JL 0 l N V EN TOR. fiZmv/r .5 BEssL ER.

A TTORNEYJ,

July 19, 1932. E, BESSLER 1,867,904

DISAPPEARING STAIRWAY Filed Jan. 3, 1 929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 5% INVENTOR.

flP/I/v/r E. 35554 51?.

BY Jul/20w fiat-3.

ATTORNEYS- Patented July 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT or fice FRANK E. BESSLER,'OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BESSLER DISAPPEARING STAIR 7 WAY COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO DISAPPEARING s'rAInwAY This invention relates to disappearing stairways of the ceiling panel type.

Heretofore, a number of difierent disap- V pearing stairway constructions have been employed which utilize a stair structure eX- 5 tensible and retractible on a ceiling panel. Among these are one which utilizes a stair structure slidable as a unit on the ceiling panel. This type cannot be used in certain places as where there is not sufiicient room for the stair structure to extend beyond the ceiling opening on the upper floor when the stairway is closed. Another type of stairway is one constructed in sections which fold onto each other on top of the panel when the stairway is closed. This type of stairway does not have the objection noted respecting the first type, but is more objectionable in that the folding sections are difficult to control and the stairway is dangerous in operation.

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a disappearing stairway including a stair structure comprising sections adapted to telescope onto the panel so as not to extend beyond the panel opening when collapsed so as to prevent its use in congested places and which is capable of easy v and safe operation.

A further object of the invention is to motorize such a stairway.

The foregoing and other purposes or objects of the invention are'attained in the disappearing stairway illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific form thereof shown and described.

Of the accompanying drawings, V

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of a stairway embodying the invention shown in its position of use; 7

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof, partly in section;

Figure .3 is a side elevation, partly insection, showing the stairway in its disappeared position;

Figure 4 is a part plan of a tread and its mounting on a stringer on the upper section of the stair structure;

Figure 10 is a sectlon on line 10 -10 of Figure 9; and v Figure 11 is a wiring diagram for the motor and control switch circuits.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates an opening in the ceiling .of a lower room through which access may be had to an I upper room. This opening is closed by a ceiling panel 11 hinged in one end of opening 10 at 12 and carries on its upper side a telescopic stair structure.

The telescopic stair structure preferably is builtin two sections 13 and 14, the'upper section 13 comprising stringers '15, 15 and treads 16, 16, the latter being pivoted on the stringers at their outer edges as shown Q at 17 so as to be capable of swinging upwardly from their positions of use. A guide bar 18 is extended along the inside lower edge of each stringer 15 on which bar'the corresponding stringer of the lower stair section is slidablc and notches at 19, 19 in 'the bars 18provide bearing supports for the inner edges of the treads 16 when the stairway is in use. 7 I

The upper stair section 13 is pivoted at its upper end in the ceiling opening at 20 and is slidably mounted on the panel 11 to compensate for the different arcuate paths of the stair structure and panel about their respective' pivots. T 0 this end, rollers 21 areprovided on the lower ends of stringers 15, said rollers being engaged in tracks 22 secured on the upper side of the panel 11 (FigureS).

The lower stair section 14: comprising.

stringers 23, 23 and fixed treads 24, 24 is arranged to slide between stringers 15, 15 of the upper section; To this-end, stringers 23 are slidable on guide bars 18'andin order to strengthen the joint between the sections of the stairway when extended, a floating filler piece 25 is provided between the upper stringers l5 and lower stringers 23 in grooves 26 and 27 respectively in said members (Figure 8). A groove 28 (Figures 1 and 3) in the upper edge intermediate the ends of each filler piece 25 has pins 29 and 30 respectively in the upper and lower stringers 15 and 23 projecting therein, the latter pin being to pull the filler pieces down as the stair struc-' ture is extended by engaging the lower end of groove 28 and the former pin being for holding the filler piece in its finalposition across the joint between the upper and lower stair sections by engaging the upper end of groove 28. Pins 31 at the lower ends of stringers 23 project into grooves 27 to engage the lower ends of the filler pieces. as the stair structure is being telescoped onto panel llto shove the filler pieces 25 upwardly. The lower ends of stringers 23 may be provided with rollers 32 for-supporting the stairway on the lower floor.

' The stairway may, if desired, be provided with a hand rail on either or both sides thereof. In the drawings, a hand rail is shown on the right side of the stairway including an upper section 33 rigidly mounted by posts 34 and 35 on upper stringer 15 and a lower section 36 fixedly mounted at one end by a post 37 onto a lower stringer 23 and slidably mounted on the upper hand rail section by a floating clip 38 (see Figure 6). A pin 39"on hand rail section 36 is provided to pull clip 38 down to the position shown in Figure 1 as the stairway is extended. A pin 40 on the hand rail section 36 is arranged to push the clip upward along the rail sec tion 33 as the stairway isretracted or telescoped and a pin 41 is secured adjacent the top of hand rail section 33 to limit the cupward movement of the clip way is completely telescoped.

For supporting the panel 11 in its open position, a pair of links 42, 42 are pivoted at their upper ends on vertically. adjustable blocks 43, 43 at the end of the opening 10 when the stairopposite thehinged end of panel 11 and are provided with rollers 44 at theirlower ends tracking in tracks 22 which are extended along the sides of panel 11 (see Figures 7 and 8). The construction is such that links 42 are adapted to swing past adead center position, e. a position perpendicular to the panel as the stairway is operated into its position of use, whereby the links are adapted to hold the panel down during the telescoping of the stairway on the panel preliminary to closing of the panel. For pulling the links through the dead center position, the

upper ends .of the lower stair section 14 are provided with lugs 45 for engaging the upper edges ofthe. links as shown in Figure 1. In order that the links be pushed back through their vdead'center as the stair structure is col.- lapsed to permit closing ofthe panel, bars. 46

are slidably mounted in brackets 47 and 48 on the outer sides of stringers 15 and project downwardlytherefrom, the lower ends of said bars being arranged to be engaged by pins 31 as the stairway is telescoped and the upperends of said bars having lugs or cars 49 engageable with the lower edges of links 42.

The stairway operating mechanism includes cable drums v 50 which may be mounted to rotate about the stairway pivot 20, and cable 51 having its ends wound thereon and stretches thereof extended over sheaves 52 on each side of opening 10 adjacent the other end of the opening, thence down about sets of three sheaves 53, 54 and 55 on the free end of the upper stringer 15 which bring the cable close to the stairway stringers, then downalong stringers 23 to the lower ends thereof where the cable is preferably trained over sheaves 56, and extends between said sheaves to equalize the tension in the cable. stretches on opposite sides of the stairway.

The drums 50 may be operated by any suitable power means, a reversible motor 57 being illustrated for this purpose. motor 57 is connected to the drums 50 through suitable reduction gearing 58 in a box 59, mounted in opening 10 above the hinged end of panel 11, the upper surface of box 59 being utilized in the structure shown as the uppermost tread of the stairway at the upper floor level. The motor 57 which may be an induction motor having starting and running leads thereto as shown, is con nected in a circuit diagrammatically indicated in Figure 11 including a manually operable single pole double throw switch 60 on the upper floor, a manually operable single pole double throwswitch 61 on the lower floor and a pair of reversing switches 62, and 62 which may be mounted at one side of opening 10.

For operating switches 62? and 62 to stop the motor and reverse the connections thereto as the stairway moves into its extended position, a bar 63 is slidably mounted through the agency of brackets 63 on the under edge of one stringer 15 and is provided with a hook end at 64 arranged to be engaged by one bracket lug 45 on the upper end of stair The way section 14 as this section moves into pending upon the direction in which shaft 67 is rocked.

Means for stopping the motor and reversing the connections thereto as the stairway moves into its closed position comprises a push rod 69 arranged on the side of opening 10 with shaft 67 adjacent the end of opening 10 remote from the panel hinges and projecting downwardly when the panel is opened so as to be pushed upwardly by the panel when the panel moves into its shut position, a plate on the upper face of the panel being arranged to engage said push rod. The push rod 69 is connected by a link 71 to a crank 72 on rock shaft 67.

The stairway is, of course, normally main tained in the closed position shown in Fig ure 3. When its use is desired, either of switches 60 or 61 is-operated to connect the motor as shown in Figure 11 thus starting motor 57 which drives drums 50 in a direction to pay out cable 51 and permitting the panel 11 and stair structure to swing down out of opening 10 by gravity. When gravity becomes eifective on the lower section 1 1 of the stair structure, continued paying out of the cable causes it to descend to the lower floor, treads 16 of the upper stairway section swinging by gravity in succession into the notches 19 in guide rail 18 by which they are supported in position of use.

As the section 14 descends, pin 30 pulls the central filler piece 25 downwardly and pin 39 on the lower hand rail section 36 pulls clip 38 downwardly into the positions shown in Figure 1. As the stair section 14 moves into its fully extended position, lugs l5 pull the links 12 downwardly through their dead center positions and also one of these pulls bar 63 downwardly which through crank 65, shaft 66 and rock shaft 67 actuates the switches 62 and 62 to stop the motor and reverse the connections thereto. Filler piece 25 is held by pin 29 in position shown in Figure 1 spanning the joint between sections 13 and 1 1 of the stairway to strengthen this joint.

lVhen it is desired to close the stairway, after use, either switch 60 or 61 is again actuated, driving motor 57 in the reverse direction as will be evident from Figure 11a to wind cable 51 onto drums 50. This causes first the retraction of stairway section 14: which as it passes upwardly between stringers 15, swings treads 16 in succesion up out of the way, pins 31 engaging the lower end of filler pieces 25 and pushing them upwardly, and pin 40 on the hand rail section 33 engaging clip 38 and pushing it upwardly.

As the section 14 move into its fully telescoped position, pins 31 engage the lower ends of bars 46 and cause the upper ends thereof to engage and push links 42 back through their dead center positions which stairway.

permits cable 51 to become effective on the panel 11 to draw it shut. As the panel 11 shuts, plate 70 engages push rod 69 and through link 71 and crank 72, rocks shaft 67 in the reverse direction which actuates switches 62 and 62 to stop and reverse the connections to motor 57 fora succeeding operation of the stairwaywhen its use is again desired. 7 I

It will appear from the foregoing that an effective and afe disappearing stairway con.

struction has been devised for use in congested places. Obviously modifications of this invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is V 1. A disappearing stairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section hinged at its upper end in t 1e. opening and slidably mounted at its lower end on the panel, a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of they upper section being pivoted at their outer edges to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are telescoped, floating filler pieces between the stringers of the upper and lower sections to span the joint therebetween when the stairway is extended, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for extending and retracting the filler pieces as the stairway iseXtended and retracted, a sectional handrail, one section of which is supported on the upper section of the stairway and the other section of which is supported on the lower section of the stairway and is slidable on the upper hand rail section, links pivotally mounted at their upper ends in the ceiling opening adjacent the end thereof remote from the panel, slidable connections between the lower ends of the links and the sides of the panel, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for moving said links through their dead center positions respecting the panel as the stairway is extended, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for moving said links back through their dead center positions when the stairway is .retracted, and cablemeans connected to the panel and lower stair section for'opening and closing the panel and extending and retracting the 2. A disappearing stairway opening comprising'a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure for a ceiling mounted on said panel-including an upper stairway section hinged at its upper end in the opening and slidably mounted at its lower end on the panel, a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers tended, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for extending and retracting thefiller pieces as the stairway is extended and retracted, links pivotally mounted at their upper ends in the ceiling opening adjacent the end thereof remote from the panel slidable connections between the lower ends of the links and the sides of thepanel, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for moving said links through their dead center positions respecting the panel as the stairway is extended, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for moving said links back through their dead center positions when the stairway is retracted, and cable means connected to the panel and lower stair section for opening and closing the panel and extending and retracting the stairway. i

3.=A disappearing stairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section hinged at its upper end in the opening and slidably mounted at its lower end on the panel, a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of the upper section being pivoted at their outer edges to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are telescoped, links pivotally mounted at their upper ends in the ceiling opening adjacent the end thereof remote from the panel hinges, slidable connections between the lower ends of the links and the sides of the panel, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for moving said links through their dead center positions respecting the panel as the stairway is extended, means operable by the low er section of the stairway for moving said links back through their dead center positions when the stairway is retracted, and cable means connected to the panel and lower stair section for opening and closing the panel and extending and retracting the stair way.

4. A disappearing stairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel. including an upper stairway section hinged at its upper end in the opening and slidably mounted at its lower "end on the panel, a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the stairway to its closed position, and cable means connected to the panel and lower stair section for opening and closing the panel and extending and retracting the stairway.

5. A. disappearingstairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section hinged at its upper end in the openin and slidably mounted at its lower end On the panel, a lower stairway section siidablymounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of the upper section being pivoted at their outer edges to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are tele'scoped, floating filler pieces between the stringers of the upper and lower sections to'span the joint therebetween when the stairway is extended,

means operable by the'lower section of the stairway for extending and retracting the 1 filler pieces as the stairway is extended and retracted, means for supporting the panel in an open inclined position, said means'being adapted'to hold the panel in said position until the stairway is retracted thereon in operating the stairway to its closed position, and cable means connected to the panel and lower stair section for opening and closing the; panel and extending and retractingthe stairway. I 6. A disappearing stairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section on the panel, a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of the upper section being pivotedat their outer edges to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are telescoped, means for supporting the panel in an open inclined position, said means-being adapted to hold the panel in said position until the stairway is retracted thereon in operating the stairway to its closed position,

mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section on the panel, a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of the upper section being pivoted at their outer edges to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are telescoped, floating filler pieces between the stringers of the upper and lower sections to span the joint therebetween when the stairway is extended, means operable by the lower section of the stairway for extending and retracting the filler pieces as the stairway is extended and retracted, means for supporting the panel in an open inclined position, said means being adapted to hold the panel in said position until the stairway is retracted thereon in operating the stairway to its closed position, and cable means connected to the panel and lower stair section for opening and closing the panel and extending and retracting the stairway.

8. A disappearing stairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section hinged at its upper end in the opening and slidably mounted at its lower end on the panel, and a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of the uper section bein ivoted at their outer ed es 1 P e e to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are telescoped. V

9. A disappearing stairway for a ceiling opening comprising a panel for closing the opening, said panel being hinged at one end of the opening, a telescopic stair structure mounted on said panel including an upper stairway section on the panel, and a lower stairway section slidably mounted between the stringers of the upper section, the treads of the upper section being pivoted at their outer edges to swing upwardly out of the way of the lower section when the sections are telescoped.

10. A disappearing stairway comprising a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure carried thereby including one section mounted on the panel and another section telescoping therewith, and means for operating the stairway comprising cable drums, a motor for driving the drums in either direction, cable on the drums extended to the panel and telescoping section, .manually operable switch means for starting the motor, means operable by the telescoping section when the latter is extended for stopping the motor and reversing its connections and means operable by the panel when the panel shuts for stopping the motor and reversing its connections.

11. A disappearing stairway comprising a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure carried thereby including one section mounted on the panel and another section telescoping therewith, and means for operating the stairway comprlsing cable drums, reversible connections for driving the drums in either direction, cable on the drums extended to the panel and telescoping section, manually operable means for starting the reversible driving means, means operable by the telescoping section when the latter is extended "for stopping and setting the driving means in reverse and means operable by the panel when the panel shuts for stopping the driving means and reversing its connections.

12. The combination in a disappearing stairway of a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure carried thereby, power means for opening and closing the panel and for extending and telescoping the stairway, and means operable by extension of the stairway and by closing of the panel to control the operation of the power means. a

v 18. The combination in a disappearing stairway of a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure carried thereby, including one section mounted on the panel and another section extensible therefrom, a telescopic hand rail for said stair structure comprising one section fixedly mounted on the first-named stair section and another section fixedly mounted on the extensible stair section, and slidable on the first-named hand rail section.

nation of a ceiling panel, a telescopic stairway including a section mounted on thepanel and another section extensible therefrom, and means for supportingthe panel in open position, said means being-adapted to be actuated to hold the panel against closing byextension of the extensible section and to be released to permit the panel to close by retraction of the extensible section.

15. In a disappearing stairway, the combination of a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure including one section mounted on the panel and another section extensible there- .from, and means adapted to be moved across the joint between the sections when the latter is extended to strengthen said joint, said means being operable by the extensible section.

H 16. In a disappearing stairway, the combination of a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure including one. section mounted on the panel and another section extensible therefrom, and means adapted to be moved acrossthe joint between the sections when the latter is extended to strengthen said joint.

17. In a disappearing stairway, the combination of a ceiling panel, a telescopic stair structure including one section mounted on the panel and another section extensible therefrom, the extensible section being movable between the stringers of the first-named section and the treads on the first-named 14. In a disappearing stairway, the com bi-l section being shiftably mounted on its stringers so as to be movable out of the way by telescoping of the sections.

18. The combination in a disappearing stairway Structure for use in a ceiling opening between lower and upper floors of a building, of a panel for closing said opening, said panel being hinged at one end of said opening, and a stair structure comprising telescoping sections mounted on the panel wherebysuch stair structure can be extended from the ceiling opening to the lower floor when the panel is open.

19. The combination in a disappearing stairway structure for use in a ceiling opening between lower and upper floors of a building, of a panel for closing said opening, a stair structure comprising telescoping sections mounted on the panel whereby such stair structure can be extended from the ceiling opening tothe lower floor when the panel is open, means for holding the panel open, and means on the stair structure adapted to engage said holding means to release the same when the stair structure is telescoped-onto the panel to permit closing of the panel.

20. A telescopic stair structure for disappearing stairways comprising stairway sections including stringers and treads, one section being telescopically received between the stringers of the other section, the treads in the last-named section being shiftably mounted on its stringers so as to be movable out of the way of the first-named section.

21. A telescopic stair structure for disappearing stairways comprising stairway sections including stringers and treads, one section being telescopically received between the stringers of the other section, the treads in the last-named section being shiftably mounted on its stringers so as to be movable out of the way of the first-named section by englagement of said'first-named section therewit 22. In a disappearing stairway, the com bination with a ceiling panel, of a telescopic stair structure mounted on the pan-e1, said structure including stairway sections comprising stringers and treads, one section being movable between the stringers of the other section, the treads in the other section,

being shiftably mounted on the stringers so as to be movable out of the way of the firstnamed section, and means for opening and closing the panel and extending and telescoping the stair structure.

FRANK E. BESSLEB. 

